"Our little army boy is coming home from B.F.P.O..."
B.F.P.O stands for British Forces Post Office. This line represents how little people actually know about their loved ones lives within the armed forces. He wasn't coming home from a place, he was coming home from a mailing address.
This is a subversive song in that it suggests that there is no point in going into the army, as Kate sings: "What a waste". It suggests that the medals won for bravery and valour have no more significance than buttons and bow, and are merely shows of ego.
The mother singing in this song has, even in the face of her son's death, a critical view of her child's acheivements and life choices (i.e. entering the army rather than attempting fame through music or politics), instead of being proud of him.
"Our little army boy is coming home from B.F.P.O..." B.F.P.O stands for British Forces Post Office. This line represents how little people actually know about their loved ones lives within the armed forces. He wasn't coming home from a place, he was coming home from a mailing address. This is a subversive song in that it suggests that there is no point in going into the army, as Kate sings: "What a waste". It suggests that the medals won for bravery and valour have no more significance than buttons and bow, and are merely shows of ego.
The mother singing in this song has, even in the face of her son's death, a critical view of her child's acheivements and life choices (i.e. entering the army rather than attempting fame through music or politics), instead of being proud of him.
BFPO - British Forces Posted Overseas
BFPO - British Forces Posted Overseas